New Products

GenScript has launched the AmMag Quatro automated plasmid purification system, which is designed to streamline maxi-scale, transfection-grade plasmid purification. The system features a controller capable of simultaneously operating up to four independent purification modules, along with pre-filled consumables and verified protocols. Each module can process up to six samples in one run, increasing throughput and efficiency, GenScript said. The system also leverages magnetic bead technology and related reagents to automate the entire maxi-scale purification process, reducing the risk of errors and improving reproducibility, the company said.

Tempus launched a new standalone RNA next-generation sequencing assay this week, dubbed Tempus xR, which covers clinically relevant fusions in more than 100 targeted genes, as well as altered splicing for MET Exon 14 and EGFRvIII. The test falls under the firm's existing standard of whole-genome and exome sequencing, but Tempus described xR as a new option for physicians that are specifically interested in RNA fusions or altered splicing, as well as providers, researchers, and biopharma companies seeking RNA sequencing analysis of existing samples. According to the company, the launch will divide its current operations, with its xT assay now providing DNA sequencing and xR offering RNA sequencing for clinical and research use.

RealSeq Biosciences has launched its Selective Suppression Probe (SSP), a targeted probe to deplete undesired or overabundant species from RNA samples. SSP provides increased reads and up to ten times the sequencing depth for small RNAs or micro RNAs of interest. It can be used with both single- and paired-end sequencing and on a variety of sequencing platforms. The product includes a standard probe set for human plasma samples as well as customizable probes for individual research needs.

23andMe has introduced a new report for its customers on the genetics related to panic attacks. The report, available to subscribers of the premium 23andMe+ service, estimates the genetic likelihood of developing panic disorder or other conditions for which panic attacks are a symptom. The consumer genetics firm makes its estimates based on a proprietary statistical model that considers more than 6,700 genetic markers, as well as ethnicity and birth sex. This is the fourth mental health-related report in the 23andMe+ collection.

LGC Clinical Diagnostics has launched its 22q11 Female-Matched Reference Material, part of the company's Seraseq noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) portfolio. The reference material can be used to develop a new test, validate an assay, monitor routine performance, troubleshoot problems across a workflow, and ensure overall proficiency. It is compatible with a broad range of NIPT assay methods, and uses a proprietary method that maintains native cell-free DNA characteristics such as a size profile of about 170 bp, size distribution, SNP content, and natural maternal-fetal size difference, LGC said.

Bio-Rad Laboratories has launched the Exact Diagnostics Bulk Urine Negative and Exact Diagnostics Bulk CSF Negative matrices.

Both are matrices designed for spike-in or dilution purposes as well as to be used with molecular assays to monitor their intra- and inter-run performance.The products may also help in the detection of errors in laboratory testing procedures, including potential contamination events.

The Bulk Urine Negative product is intended to be validated as an independent external quality run control to monitor the absence of adenovirus, BK virus, Candida auris, Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus, John Cunningham virus, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Zika virus in molecular assays.

The Bulk CSF Negative product is an independent external quality run control intended to monitor the absence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Bartonella quintana, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, enterovirus, herpes simplex virus-1, HSV-2, and varicella zoster virus in molecular assays.

Applied BioCode said this week that it has launched a Fungal Panel Assay for research use only. The assay detects the most common agents of invasive fungal infections, especially in lower respiratory samples. They include Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Cunninghamella, Lomentospora, Fusarium, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and dimorphic pathogens (Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Blastomyces dermatiditis). The assay is designed to run primarily on the company's BioCode MDx-3000 multiplex PCR system and is intended for infectious disease research or pharmaceutical development.

BioEcho Life Sciences has launched the EchoLution Buccal Swab DNA Kit. The kit provides an ultra-fast extraction method and delivers ready-to-use DNA for downstream applications such as PCR testing, genetic sequencing, and other analyses like short tandem repeat and parental testing. Specifically, the lysis takes place within two to five minutes and yields high-quality DNA from dry swabs.

A number of vendors introduced new products this week at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry annual meeting in Houston.

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced its Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer featuring its new Astral analyzer as well as a quadrupole and Orbitrap. The Astral analyzer offers a scan rate of up to 200 Hz and resolution of 80,000, while the Orbitrap offers scan rates of up to 40 Hz and resolution of up to 480,000. The Orbitrap's Biopharma Option allows for analysis of molecules of up to m/z 8,000. The instrument is meant to deliver both depth of coverage and high throughput, allowing for measurement of more than 15,000 proteins and processing of as many as 180 samples per day.

Thermo Fisher also introduced its new µPAC Neo High Throughput HPLC columns for high-throughput proteomic experiments as well as the latest edition of its Proteome Discoverer software, version 3.1, which uses the Chimerys intelligent search engine from MSAID for analysis of both DIA and DDA mass spec data.

Bruker introduced its timsTOF Ultra mass spectrometer, the newest instrument in its timsTOF line. The system features a scan speed of up to 300 Hz, a new CSI Ultra ion source that improves the formation of ions from nanoLC gradients, and new microflow emitters. According to the company, the instrument can identify more than 5,000 proteins at single-cell sensitivity.

Bruker also launched its VistaScan software, which synchronizes the ramping of the timsTOF's TIMS system with the instrument's quadrupole to improve the performance of its ion mobility component. The company's new SCiLS Lab 2024 software includes metabolite and lipid annotation as well as improved collisional-cross section-enabled feature finding to improve multiomic spatial tissue research.

Waters launched a new resolution enhancement mode for its Select Series MRT mass spec system, making it capable of 300,000 FWHM resolution, a 3X faster scan rate, and parts-per-billion mass accuracy.

PreOmics launched its ENRICH-ist Kits for enrichment of plasma and serum proteins for proteomic analysis. The kits consist of non-functionalized paramagnetic microbeads and, according to the company, can enrich low-abundance plasma and serum proteins by 50 percent to more than 100 percent using a five-hour workflow.

Biognosys introduced a new bead-based plasma proteome enrichment assay as part of its TrueDiscovery service platform. According to the company, the workflow enables the high-throughput quantification of roughly 4,000 proteins in human plasma.

Bionano Genomics has released new chemistry for its Ionic purification system for nucleic acid extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and tumor tissue. The Ionic G2 chemistry includes four new kits: G2 FFPE to DNA, G2 FFPE to RNA, G2 FFPE Complete, and G2 Tissue to DNA.